Multi-panel variable structure

ABSTRACT

The invention of the present disclosure may be a temporary structure comprising a plurality of conduits, each conduit comprising a lumen and a standard length; a plurality of connectors, each of the plurality of connectors comprising at least one attachment member, wherein each of the at least one attachment members is configured to reversibly attach to at least one of the plurality of conduits, and wherein each of the lumens is sized to accept at least one attachment member; and a plurality of panels, wherein each of the plurality of panels is configured to reversibly attach to at least two of the plurality of conduits.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention is in the field of temporary structures, specifically apparatuses and methods that enable multi-panel temporary lightweight structures.

INTRODUCTION

Many temporary structures on the market are limited to a single configuration of a fixed size and orientation. These structures offer very little in the way of customization. Such structures can quickly become boring to children and a burden to families once they are not played with, especially given the difficult installation and substantial investment.

Current structures for children are often rigid and made of rigid materials including wood, or metal. Frequently, such structure kits include an assortment of hardware and are often very difficult to assemble. Once assembled, depending on the size of the structure, they can be very difficult to move or dispose of once the child has outgrown the structure.

As current play structures usually consist of heavy rigid walls and fixed connections, they are not easily modified or updated for extended use. It would be desirable to have apparatuses and methods for play structures of simple construction, variable size, and multiple configurations.

Further, it would be desirable to have play structures that are adaptable to the changing needs of children. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide structures that can easily collapse, be transported, and/or stored.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, the invention of the present disclosure may be a temporary structure comprising a plurality of conduits, each conduit comprising a lumen and a standard length; a plurality of connectors, each of the plurality of connectors comprising at least one attachment member, wherein each of the at least one attachment members is configured to reversibly attach to at least one of the plurality of conduits, and wherein each of the lumens is sized to accept at least one attachment member; and a plurality of panels, wherein each of the plurality of panels is configured to reversibly attach to at least two of the plurality of conduits.

In a further embodiment, each of the plurality of connectors comprise an elevated portion disposed centrally to each of the plurality of connectors; an attachment member length traversing an inner attachment member end to an outer attachment member end; an attachment member diameter traversing a cross section of the outer attachment member end; and an elevated portion height traversing the attachment member to the elevated portion. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of conduits comprises a lumen diameter traversing an inside of the lumen; a lumen wall at least partially enveloping the lumen; and a lumen wall height. The lumen wall height may be equivalent to the elevated portion height.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of panels further comprises at least one featureless edge; at least one wrapping edge, each wrapping edge comprising a fastener; and a fastener receiver, wherein the fastener is configured to reversibly attach to the fastener receiver, and wherein each wrapping edge is configured to at least partially surround a conduit. The fastener and the fastener receiver may be hook and loop fasteners. In one embodiment, the fastener and the fastener receiver are disposed parallel to the wrapping edge. The fastener and/or the fastener receiver may be attached to the panel with stitching and/or an adhesive.

Each of the plurality of panels may further comprise a first pair of edges; and a second pair of edges; wherein the first pair of edges comprise two wrapping edges, and wherein the second pair of edges may comprise two featureless edges. Further, each of the plurality of panels may be configurable for a vertical orientation wherein the first pair of edges may include a top edge and a bottom edge, and a horizontal orientation wherein the first pair of edges may include a left edge and a right edge.

In an embodiment, adjacent panels of the plurality of panels alternate between the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation. Each of the plurality of panels may comprise a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge; four partial wrapping edges, where each of the four partial wrapping edges may comprise a wrapping portion and a featureless portion, wherein the wrapping portion may be configured to at least partially surround a conduit, wherein the wrapping portion may include a fastener and a fastener receiver, and wherein the fastener may be configured to reversibly attach to the fastener receiver.

The fastener and the fastener receiver may be hook and loop fasteners. Further, the fastener and the fastener receiver may be disposed parallel to the partial wrapping edge. In an embodiment, the plurality of connectors comprise a cross, a 3-way tee, a 4-way tee, a 5-way tee, a right 3-way elbow, an obtuse 3-way elbow, and a 4-way elbow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of a temporary structure.

FIGS. 2A-2G are illustrations of various embodiments of connectors.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of a connector in proximity to a conduit.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an embodiment of the temporary structure, including a plurality of connectors and conduits.

FIGS. 5A-5B are illustrations of embodiments of panels.

FIGS. 5C-5D are illustrations of embodiments of various panels disposed on the temporary structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention adds a whole new dimension to temporary structures, specifically those configured as play structures.

Throughout the specification, wherever practicable, like structures will be identified by like reference numbers. In some figures, components, such as additional electrical connections or fasteners have been omitted for clarity in the drawings. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term “or” means “either or both” such that “A or B” includes A alone, B alone, and both A and B together.

The invention of the present disclosure may be an apparatus for facilitating customizable structures for children and parents by using various panels, conduits, and connectors to build unique play spaces. In an embodiment, the structure may utilize several different connectors to design structures of different shapes and functions. Accordingly, panels, connectors, and conduits may be switched to update or expand the child's play. In a further embodiment, structures and/or components of adjacent structures may be connected together to create nearly infinite designs. The structure may be easily assembled and disassembled, such that the components of the structure may be conveniently stored.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the invention of the present disclosure may be a structure 100. The structure 100 may be comprised of a plurality of conduits 102, a plurality of panels 104, and/or a plurality of connectors 134. In an embodiment, a unit 108 may be comprised of four conduits 102, each disposed orthogonally and in a single plane, such that the unit 108 is rectangle and/or square. However, the unit 108 may be any suitable shape. The unit 108 may be a metric utilized for determining the dimensions of the structure 100. For example, a particular side of the structure 100 may be 8 units wide by 5 units tall. Moreover, each unit 108 may be configured to accept one panel 104.

In an embodiment, the structure 100 includes a front face 110, a rear face 112 (not shown), a left side 114, a right side 116, a top side 118, and a base 120. The base 120 may be the bottom perimeter of the structure 100 formed by the bottom portions of the front face 110, the rear face 112, the left side 114, and the right side 116. The base 120 may be configured to interface with the ground surface (for example, a tile floor, carpet, or lawn). Accordingly, the plane of the base 120 may be parallel to the ground surface. In another embodiment, the base 120 is a planar member disposed orthogonal to the front face 110, the rear face 112, the left side 114, and the right side 116. Alternatively, the base 120 may be a fabric material (for example, similar to that of the panels 104), disposed along the opening formed by the bottom ends of the front face 110, rear face 112, left side 114, and right side 116.

The top side 118 may include a left incline portion 124 and a right incline portion 126. The left incline portion 124 and the right incline portion 126 may be angled beginning at the top portions of the left side 114 and the right side 116, respectively, and extending to an apex of the top side 118. However, in various embodiments the structure may not include a top side 118. For example, the structure 100 may have an open top. Moreover, the top side 118 may be substantially flat or may include any number of incline portions in any arrangement or disposed at any suitable angle.

A cavity 122 may be defined as the space formed by the front face 110, the rear face 112, the left side 114, the right side 116, the top side 118, and/or the base 120 or the ground surface. The cavity 122 may be sized to temporarily house one or more people, for example, one or more children.

In an embodiment, the front face 110 may include a front aperture 128 and the rear face 112 may include a rear aperture 130. However, the structure 100 may include any number or combination of apertures, disposed on any suitable portion of the structure 100. The structure 100 may include a passage 132 enabling fluid communication between the environment and the cavity 122. The passage 132 may be disposed on any portion of the structure 100, for example, the front face 110. The passage 132 may be configured and/or sized to function as a door, enabling a user to enter the cavity 122. In an embodiment, the passage 132 is bound by the ground surface and the front face 110, such that the passage 132 does not rest upon a bare conduit 102. Thus, the bottom portion of the passage 132 traverses the ground surface. In another embodiment, the bottom portion of the passage 132 traverses a bare conduit 102. For example, the passage 132 may be two vertically disposed units that do not include panels 104. In an alternate embodiment, the passage 132 includes one or more panels 104, wherein the panels 104 are swivably attached to the structure, enabling an individual to push through the panels 104 upon entering the cavity 122.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2G, the structure 100 may include a number of configurations of connectors 134. For the purposes of this disclosure, connector 134 may be a genus referring to any of the connector species 202-214 or any other suitable alternative. FIG. 2A depicts cross connector 202. The cross connector 202 may include four attachment members 216 disposed radially, at right angles, within the same plane. FIG. 2B depicts a 3-way tee 204. The 3-way tee 204 may include three attachment members 216, such that a first attachment member 216 is disposed at a right angle to a second attachment member 216 and the second attachment member 216 is disposed at a right angle to a third attachment member 216, wherein all attachment members 216 are disposed in the same plane. FIG. 2C depicts a 4-way tee 206. The 4-way tee 206 may include four attachment members 216, wherein two attachment members 216 are disposed at a straight angle and the other two attachment members 216 are disposed at a right angle. FIG. 2D depicts a 5-way tee 208. The 5-way tee 208 may include five attachment members 216, wherein four attachment members are disposed in a first plane and the fifth attachment member is disposed orthogonal to the first plane. FIG. 2E depicts a right 3-way elbow 210. The right 3-way elbow 210 may include three attachment members 216, wherein each attachment member is disposed at a right angle to the other two attachment members. FIG. 2F depicts an obtuse 3-way elbow 212. The obtuse 3-way elbow 212 may include three attachment members, wherein at least two of the three attachment members are disposed at obtuse angles. FIG. 2G depicts a 4-way elbow 214. The 4-way elbow 214 may include four attachment members. In an embodiment, the angles between the attachment members 216 of the 4-way elbow 214 may be a function of the length, width, and/or height of the structure walls 110/112/114/116. For example, the angles of the attachment members 216 of the 4-way elbow 214 may be optimized for use in supporting the top side 118, wherein the structure walls 110/112/114/116 may each include nine units 108 or three conduits 102 long by three conduits 102 wide. However, any of the aforementioned connectors may include attachment members 216 disposed at angles based on the dimensions of the structure walls 110/112/114/116 or top side 118.

Referring to FIG. 3 , a connector 134 may comprise one or more attachment members 216 and an elevated portion 218. Each attachment member 216 may comprise an attachment member length 220. The attachment member length 220 may extend from the attachment member inner end (for example, the border of the attachment member 216 and elevated portion 218) to the outer end of the attachment member 216. The attachment member length 220 may be any suitable length, such that the conduit 102 securely, yet reversibly, attaches to the connector 134. The outer end of the attachment member 216 may have an attachment member diameter 222 (for example, along a cross section of the outer end of the attachment member). In an embodiment, the outer end of the attachment member 216 may be open. However, in another embodiment, the outer end of the attachment member 216 may be closed. In a further embodiment, the outer end of the attachment member 216 may be angled to enable easy insertion.

In an embodiment, the attachment member 216 is configured to enter the conduit 102 (for example, the attachment member 216 being a male adapter and the conduit 102 being a female adapter).

The elevated portion 218 may be a portion of the connector 134, for example, the center portion of the connector 134, wherein the connector 134 is thicker than the attachment member(s) 216. Thus, an elevated portion height 224 may extend from the outer surface of the attachment member 216 to the top surface of the elevated portion 218. For example, the elevated portion height 224 may be measured from the surface of the inner end of the attachment member 216 to the top surface of the elevated portion 218, where the elevated portion 218 meets the attachment member 216.

Each conduit 102 may include a lumen 302, wherein the lumen 302 has a lumen diameter 304. The lumen 302 may be the hollow portion of the conduit 102, for example, bound by the lumen wall 306. The lumen wall 306 may have a lumen wall height 308. In an embodiment, each conduit 102 may include a standard length, for example, 14 inches. Accordingly, each conduit 102 may be the same length. In various embodiments, the conduit 102 may be any suitable length.

The conduit 102 may be composed of a plastic material, for example, a high density plastic, polyvinyl chloride, a thermoplastic, or any other suitable plastic material. In another embodiment, the conduit 102 may be composed of aluminum, steel, or any other suitable metal material.

The lumen 302 may be sized and configured to accept the attachment member 216. For example, the lumen 302 may be sized to accept at least the attachment member length 220. The lumen diameter 304 may be the same size or slightly larger than the attachment member diameter 222. The lumen diameter 304 and the attachment member diameter 222 may be arranged such that interfacing the connector 134 and the conduit 102 creates a fitment sufficient to support the structure 100. In an embodiment, the wall height 308 and the elevated portion height 224 are the same, such that the surfaces of the conduit 102 and the elevated portion 218 are continuous and “seamless” when a conduit 102 and connector 134 are attached.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a plurality of conduits 102 may be connected with various connectors 134 to form the structure 100. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of conduits 102 shares the same length, such that each unit 108 shares the same area. However, in another embodiment, the structure 100 may include an extended conduit, enabling use of an extended panel 106.

In an alternate embodiment, the structure 100 may include shortened conduits. Each of the shortened conduits may be roughly half the standard length, while accounting for the width of the connector 134, which may be disposed between two shortened conduits. For example, if the standard length of the conduit 102 is 14 inches, each shortened conduit may be 6 inches, accounting for the elevated portion 218 being 2 inches. Thus, two shortened conduits and one attachment member 216 may account for the same spatial dimensions as one conduit 102.

Referring to FIG. 5A, a panel 104 may include one or more featureless edges 502, one or more wrapping edges 504, one or more fasteners 506, and one or more fastener receivers 508. In an embodiment, the panel 104 may have an engaged state and an unengaged state. In an engaged state, the panel 104 may be attached to the structure 100. For example, in an engaged state, one or more wrapping edges 504 may be tethered, via one or more fasteners 506 and one or more fastener receivers 508, to one or more conduits 102. In an unengaged state, the panel 104 may be separate from the structure 100 and/or the fastener 506 and fastener receiver 508 may be detached. In an embodiment, the panel 104 may have a top edge 512, a bottom edge 514, a left edge 516, and a right edge 518. The panel 104 may be composed of fabric, polyester, nylon, or any other suitable material.

The fastener 506 may be configured to reversibly attach to the fastener receiver 508. For example, the fastener 506 may be the “hook” portion of a hook-and-loop fastener and the fastener receiver 508 may be the “loop” portion of a hook-and-loop fastener. However, the fastener 506 and/or the fastener receiver 508 may be any suitable mechanisms for reversibly affixing the panel 104 to the structure 100. As non-limiting examples, the fastener 506 and the fastener receiver 508 may be a zipper, one or more buttons, or a non-permanent adhesive. Alternatively, the fastener 506 and/or the fastener receiver 508 may be permanently affixed, such that the panel 104 is not removable from the structure 100.

In an embodiment, an opposing pair of sides may include wrapping edges 504 and the other opposing pair of sides may include featureless edges 502. Accordingly, the panel 104 may include two wrapping edges 504 and two featureless edges 502. However, the panel 104 may include any number of sides, and thus any number of wrapping edges 504 and/or featureless edges 502. In a further embodiment, the panel 104, for example, the extended panel 106, may include two or more wrapping edges per side.

The panel 104 may be in a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation. In a vertical orientation the wrapping edges 504 may be on the top edge 512 and the bottom edge 514 of the panel 104. In a horizontal orientation the wrapping edges 504 may be on the left edge 516 and the right edge of the 518 of the panel 104. Thus, adjacent units 108 may include alternating horizontally oriented and vertically oriented panels 104. In such an embodiment, each panel 104 may attach to the structure 100, such that the wrapping edges 504 do not interfere with the wrapping edges 504 of adjacent panels 104.

In an alternate embodiment, the fastener 506 of a first panel may be configured to attach with the fastener receiver 508 of a second panel 104. In another alternate embodiment, each panel 104 may include four wrapping edges 504, such that at least two of the four wrapping edges 504 attach to the structure 100 and the other two of the four wrapping edges 504 attach to adjacent panels 104. In such an embodiment, the wrapping edges 504 that attach to adjacent panels 104 may close the gap between the two adjacent panels 104 (for example, decrease the draft or airflow).

Referring to FIG. 5B, a panel 104 may include one or more partial wrapping edges 510. In an embodiment, the partial wrapping edges 510 may include a featureless section and a wrapping section. For example, roughly half of a panel edge may include a featureless section and roughly half of a panel edge may include a wrapping section. Further, the partial wrapping edge 510 may include a section of fastener and fastener receiver that is as long as the wrapping portion. However, in an alternate embodiment, the fastener and/or fastener receiver may be longer than the wrapping section of the partial wrapping edge 510.

In an embodiment, each of the top edge 512, the bottom edge 514, the left edge 516, and the right edge 518, include a partial wrapping edge 510, wherein each edge includes an equal length of wrapping. Referring to FIG. 5B, the top edge 512 may include a length of wrapping on the right portion of the top edge 512, the right edge 518 may include a length of wrapping on the bottom portion of the right edge 518, the bottom edge 514 may include a length of wrapping on the left portion of the bottom edge 514, and the left edge 516 may include a length of wrapping on the top portion of the left edge 516. Accordingly, the wrapping portions may be configured such that the wrapping portions of one panel 104 do not interfere with the wrapping portions of an adjacent panel 104. Further, each wrapping portion may be disposed a distance from the corner, such that the wrapping portion does not interfere with the connector. For example, each wrapping portion may be set 2 inches from the corner, enabling the wrapping portion to surround a conduit 102 without contacting the connector.

In another embodiment, each panel 104 may include one or more spines disposed parallel to one or more edges of the panel 104. The spines may be disposed along the one or more edges. Each spine may include one or more clips, wherein the clips are configured to mount the panel 104 to the structure 100. As a non-limiting example, the clips may be configured to grasp the cylindrical surface of a conduit 102. Thus, in one embodiment, each panel 104 may include two clips one each spine, wherein the panel 104 includes one spine on each edge. However, in various embodiments, the panel may include any quantity, arrangement, or position of clips. In an embodiment, one or more edges of the panel include a hemmed loop, where the loop contains the spine. In a further embodiment, each loop may include one or more holes sized to accept a clip. Accordingly, the spine may reside within the loop, yet the clips may extend through the hole to grasp to a conduit 102.

In an embodiment, the structure may include large panels configured to traverse one or more sides 110/112/114/116/118. For example, a large panel may be sized to cover an area of six units by three units (for example the front side 110 and left side 114 of FIG. 1 ). As a further example, the structure of FIG. 1 would require two large panels, where each large panel is six panels wide and three panels tall. In an embodiment, one or more of the large panels may include a void sized and configured to overlay the passage 132. Each large panel may include one or more straps, loops, clips, or fasteners arranged to reversibly attach the large panel to the structure 100. For example, each corner of the large panel may include a fabric loop configured to surround the conduit 102 or connector at each walls corner. In such an example, a user may place the fabric loop around the conduit 102 or connector 134, then attach the conduit 102 to the connector 134, such that the fabric loop is captured by the conduit 102 and/or connector 134.

The fastener 506 and the fastener receiver 508 may be disposed on the same side of the panel 104. In another embodiment, the fastener 506 and the fastener receiver 508 may be disposed on different sides of the panel 104 (for example, the fastener 506 on the front surface and the fastener receiver 508 on the rear surface). The fastener 506 and fastener receiver 506 may be thin, long rectangular members stitched into the panel 104. The fastener 506 may be located at the outer most edge of the panel 104 and the fastener receiver 508 may be located a distance from the fastener 506, such that the fastener 506 contacts the fastener receiver 508 when the edge is wrapped around a conduit 102.

Referring to FIG. 5C, the panels of FIG. 5A may be utilized to cover one or more walls of the temporary structure. In such an embodiment, the orientation of each adjacent panel 104 may be rotated ninety degrees to accommodate each panel's wrapping edges. Accordingly, each panel 104 may be arranged in a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation to accommodate the adjacent panels 104.

Referring to FIG. 5D, the panels of FIG. 5B may be utilized to cover one or more walls of the temporary structure. In such an embodiment, the orientation of each adjacent panel 104 may remain the same, as each partial wrapping edge is configured to accommodate adjacent panels 104 in the same orientation.

While certain novel features of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A temporary structure comprising: a plurality of units, each unit comprising: at least four conduits, each conduit comprising a lumen and a standard length; a plurality of connectors, each of the plurality of connectors comprising at least one attachment member, wherein each of the at least one attachment members is configured to reversibly attach to at least one of the plurality of conduits, and wherein each of the lumens is sized to accept at least one attachment member; and a panels including at least one featureless edge occupying approximately half a length of a panel edge, and at least one wrapping edge occupying approximately half a length of the panel edge, wherein the fastener is configured to reversibly attach to the fastener receiver, and wherein each wrapping edge is configured to at least partially surround a conduit a planar base member disposed orthogonal to at least one of a front face, a rear face, or a side face of the temporary structure, wherein the planar base member is attached to at least one of a plurality of horizontal conduits by a zipper; and a passage disposed on the front face and including a plurality of panels swivably attached to the structure.
 2. The temporary structure of claim 1, each of the plurality of connectors further comprising: an elevated portion disposed centrally to each of the plurality of connectors; an attachment member length traversing an inner attachment member end to an outer attachment member end; an attachment member diameter traversing a cross section of the outer attachment member end; and an elevated portion height traversing the attachment member to the elevated portion.
 3. The temporary structure of claim 2, each of the plurality of conduits further comprising: a lumen diameter traversing an inside of the lumen; a lumen wall at least partially enveloping the lumen; and a lumen wall height.
 4. The temporary structure of claim 3, wherein the lumen wall height is equivalent to the elevated portion height.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The temporary structure of claim 1, wherein the fastener and the fastener receiver are hook and loop fasteners.
 7. The temporary structure of claim 1, wherein the fastener and the fastener receiver are disposed parallel to the wrapping edge.
 8. The temporary structure of claim 1, each of the plurality of panels further comprising: a first pair of edges; and a second pair of edges; wherein the first pair of edges comprise two wrapping edges, and wherein the second pair of edges comprise two featureless edges.
 9. The temporary structure of claim 8, each of the plurality of panels configurable for a vertical orientation wherein the first pair of edges include a top edge and a bottom edge, and a horizontal orientation wherein the first pair of edges include a left edge and a right edge.
 10. The temporary structure of claim 9, wherein adjacent panels of the plurality of panels alternate between the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation.
 11. The temporary structure of claim 1, each of the plurality of panels further comprising: a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge; four partial wrapping edges, each of the four partial wrapping edges comprising a wrapping portion and a featureless portion, wherein the wrapping portion is configured to at least partially surround a conduit, wherein the wrapping portion includes a fastener and a fastener receiver, and wherein the fastener is configured to reversibly attach to the fastener receiver.
 12. The temporary structure of claim 11, wherein the fastener and the fastener receiver are hook and loop fasteners.
 13. The temporary structure of claim 11, wherein the fastener and the fastener receiver are disposed parallel to the partial wrapping edge.
 14. The temporary structure of claim 1, the plurality of connectors comprising a cross, a 3-way tee, a 4-way tee, a 5-way tee, a right 3-way elbow, an obtuse 3-way elbow, and a 4-way elbow. 